She didn’t finish high school because she and her elder sister Jean both had to go to work to help support the family. Nevertheless, she became a highly respected and successful real estate agent who was (and still is) beloved by a wide circle of friends and the community to which she contributed selflessly.

Even in rough patches, Mom fully engaged life. Always. She’s been knocked down more than once: she lost two unborn children, almost died of pneumonia, and faced financial ruin as a result of my father’s addiction to gambling in the stock market.

She got up, dusted herself off, and kept going. She simply does not give up. If and when she got lost, she improvised, just as she does in the video below. Her connection to life is truly awe inspiring. I adore her energy, and am so thankful for it.

For last eight years or so, Pinkie Patti has lived with Alzheimer’s disease. It is an excruciatingly difficult journey for her, for me, and for the rest of her family.

My Mom Patti created a beautiful life for herself, and she helped me do the same.

Now, her feisty nature has resulted in her being medicated into compliance, in an Alzheimer’s version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. She spends a good part of each day in a drug-induced slumber or stupor. If she knew, she would be wild.

(I abhor what is happening to her, and I’m doing everything in my power to ensure she can be awake and aware instead of asleep as long as possible. I may or may not succeed; but, like her, I will fight the good fight.)

But even anti-psychotics cannot quash Mom’s indomitable spirit. When she’s awake, Patti is feistier than ever, and she and I make the most of lucid moments.

26 thoughts on “85 And Feistier Than Ever”

Whooo Hoo go Patti.. !!!.. We just get better and better as we age am just recording a soulful sexy sultry …peace and love song number ..will let you know 🙂 when it’s finished 🙂 ….. magic ! Sally Francis

Thanks Liz ❤ My "home" in North Hatley is next to a road which is popular with bikers and I often think of you. Hope your journey is feeling free and easy and that more and more women are following your lead… 🙂